Magic Johnson resigns. (includes text of resignation letter to George Bush) (U.S. National Commission on AIDS)

U.S. National Commission on AIDS

Basketball star Earvin "Magic" Johnson resigned September 25, 1992, from the U.S. National Commission on AIDS, saying he was fed up with a lack of support from the Bush administration.

"I cannot in good conscience continue to serve on a commission whose important work is so utterly ignored by your administration," Johnson wrote in a letter faxed to the White House. "I am sorry to have to write this letter, but I am afraid that there is little that will be accomplished in the next four months.

"Accordingly, I have regretfully decided to resign your appointment to the National Commission on AIDS."

Johnson threatened in July 1992 to resign because of what he said was insufficient funding for the panel. "While I don't expect the other commissioners to resign any time soon, we certainly share his frustration," said Lawrence J. Kessler of Boston, Massachusetts, a member of the commission. "When I spoke to Magic this morning, I told him that we valued his …